Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Sami Says Goodbye To Her Family As She Heads To Hollywood! What Did You Think Of Alison Sweeney's Final Scenes?
Courtesy/NBC
On yesterday’s episode of NBC Days of our Lives, it was the airing of Alison Sweeney’s final episode as Sami Brady.
Although, Sweeney has made it be known that she would definitely be up for a return when the show celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, for all intent and purposes, this episode filmed this past May was to be her big exit from the long-running soap opera after over two decades.
In story, Sami is heading to Hollywood with her kids in tow and grown-up son Will (Guy Wilson, who will be off the canvas for a bit) to make a movie out of her sort of life story!
The final goodbyes included Sami’s tearful moments with long-time nemesis (now friend) Kate (Lauren Koslow), her brother Eric (Greg Vaughan), her mother and father. Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena (Deidre Hall). and long time friend and former hubby, Lucas (Bryan Dattilo). These moments were part of the send-off.
Alison’s final on-screen episode was complete with some flashbacks, a picture book of Sami through the years, and tears from the cast of characters, where for many, it may have been real tears as Alison was portraying Sami for the last time with them. After all, they all spent many a year, and many a scene with each other.
So, what did you think of Alison Sweeney’s final episode? Were you touched by the goodbyes? Did you reach for the hankies? Did you have a favorite goodbye? Or, were you just plain mad that Sami was written-off this way to Hollywood? Would you have preferred to see some kind of plot where Sami is kidnapped, or gone MIA, and no one knows but the audience that Sami is alive? Are you upset that Sami does not know that EJ (James Scott) could be alive? Share your thoughts below!
Nooooo kidnapping and M.I.A.,…too much of that over at GH with Robin…i liked her exit but will she know E.J. is alive or does Stephano have E.J. secretly hidden somewhere in a coma…no, too much like GH’s Jason but probably…it wouldve been nice had Samis finale scene had her reunited with E.J., and if E.J. returns one day in form of recast the only actor i know of would be Trevor St. John but i know he really doesnt want to do a soap again…as for Will’s departure is Guy Wilson really taking time off…i bet rumors will start that either Dylan P. or Chandler M. will return to the show as Will or yet another recast…lol
Here’s hoping that this version of nuWill stays in Hollywood. Nails on a chalkboard for me since day one. Just nauseating.
He was just ok but i didnt see chemistry between him and Freddie…
I have to agree with you regarding nuWill..Just annoying at best and play Will in a robotic manner and very unlikeable..I hope they recast or they should just leave him off campus for awhile, but I am sure Guy W. will be back…I like the way Sami was written out, giving her kind of a happy ending of sorts.
Correction: i kind of liked Sami’s exit with the goodbyes…
It was not a great storyline for Sami’s send-off. I think the show/writers owed her something more meaningful.
You are so right! So disappointed in the writing….HOLLYWOOD? really? Did she not just lose the love of her life? Now she is in Hollywood?
Good grief!
I agree! I thought the writers insulted the audience slightly with this send off. If Ej could possibly be alive then why couldn’t the writers have her end up with him? Could they even throw us a shred of a future? Hollywood send off I felt, cheapened the love story. I wanted my Ejami ending and I am not happy!!! 🙁
Sami’s last moments with Sonny, Kate, Marlena, and Roman were all very well played bey everybody.
Loved loved loved loved loved Sami’s last moments with Lucas. “Hey, you’re always the General.” That giddy schoolgirl look Ali gave Bryan was not acting it was real affection for her original scene partner and for a moment she looked like a teenager again. It was everything. Those two are so great together. Lucas is the only man who could ever keep Sami in line and in that moment it’s like she acknowledged that. I understand why over the years they had to give Sami many love interests but for me Lucas will always be her true love, the only guy who can go toe to toe with her because he was there when she invented all of her tricks.
It’s been a great 22 years, Ali. Best of luck and hope to see you on the 50th.
In the back of my mind I would love if Ali did her directorship at GH and learned everything there is to know from Frank Valentini (the best EP in the business) and then came back in 2016 as EP and/or HR of Days. She couldn’t do much worse than the last few regimes (although they have each had good moments) and in fact I think Ali having grown up on the show may be the only person who could take over the reigns at Days. The majority of the leadership at Days (both HWs and 2 of 3 EPs) is too senior (e.g. old) and male to relate to the audience.
Ali should step into Corday’s role and steer the vision of the show. She’s seen what works and what doesn’t. I’m sure this idea would not go over well with many, but the way I see it Days will be running out of steam soon if Corday does not turn over the vision to someone he trusts and I can’t think of anyone with a better chance of success at that than Ali.
I think Corday is more interested in doing a web series than caring about Days…so i agree with you…someone needs to takeover the show otherwise i see it the first of the remaining 4 to be cancelled…i like the show and id hate to see it gone but after loosing its two leading stars drastic changes are needed to keep this show afloat…jmo2!!!
I hope not… you’re scaring me saying that….
“… i see it the first of the remaining 4 to be cancelled ”
honestly… there’s some truth to that
@NickD
Man! you really nailed it … about Sami and Lucas… who were always my favorite pairing… for Samantha Gene
your paragraph 2 is spot on
I just beamed with the flashbacks
they really need to forefront Lucas…. now that the two leads have exited….
Lucas
Kayla
T
Justin
Adrienne
Bev
Hope and Aiden
just a few to mention that need to forefront and bring Days back to frontburner
please bring back Sheryl for Lucas the man… the fun man… the man can ACT
Mr. Corday has repeatedly stated they are actively researching web platforms, interactive DOOL episodes (with viewers giving story lines, casting characters, etc.) Welcome to the future!
I think that Ali and Bryan’s real-life friendship really shines through in their Sami and Lucas scenes.
Nick D. I agree with your statements. Lucas and Sami are/were the best. I wasn’t not a fan of the story line ending as such. I believe the writers miss the mark on the exit of both EJ and Sami. EJ’s death was done very well but to send Sami off to do a movie? that just seem to be a disservice to the whole EJ Sami relationship. Also once the script appears to give Sami a reason to leave town her mourning EJ leaves. Her last day had no flashbacks of EJ and her. Not even what happens to the ashes. I understand leaving doors open for comebacks but they divided EJ and Sami and closed the doors to what could have been a spectacular exit. I have watched Days for 38 years and Alison is truly a remarkable actress and person. I will follow her future works and her books are pretty spot on. James Scott will be sorely missed. As well as being a tremendous addition to Days he is surely a woman’s eye candy lol. Both deserved a better send off. I commend them both for superb acting and would be very disappointed if the award shows ignore some of the best acting in daytime television. I agree with Nick D. that Alison could take over the shows writing and directing in a heartbeat. After all she is “Sami Brady” who never says no to a challenge. I wish Alison and James the best in all they do and I will continue to watch their future endeavours. Days will still be my soap but a piece of the heart of the show is gone. I wish the Days writers and staff all the best in carrying on.
It was ok but days has other good stories too and the last two days have been fantastic.
I agree, a lot of negativity out there with her departure but I’m ok with it and I trust that other story lines will now take precedence like Haiden and future ones to come!
i’m with you… and believe that DAYS production has the mojo to forefront Salem’ites
Well to be blunt…It sucked. Going from her being a grieving widow who couldn’t put her clothes on right to being giddy about going out to Hollywood was silly and a slap in the face to the character, the actress and the fans that watched her for 21 years.
Sami Brady should have gone out of Salem on the crest of the biggest scheme she ever pulled, straight into a HEA with the love of her life EJ!!
One hundred percent agree Molly may!!!! I still can’t believe this- I have been upset about this too and completely do not understand!!!! Ejami ending should have been a given gift to us fans who waited for our Ejami and waited and waited!!!! So unimpressed, I feel quite cheated by this writing. Not fair!!!! Ruined Halloween!
Rumor is, Michael Muhney may be the new EJ.
Yes thats the rumor I heard as well. I read it on Celebrity Dirty laundry on line, that Michael Muhney might be the New EJ Dimera. Celebrity dirty laundry was right about Biller Miller joining General Hospital as the new Jason Morgan.
@CeeCee and Darren
this would be the ultimate pendulum… to hourglass DAYS magic
with the nuChad and the everlasting appeal of Phoenix Stefano… the DiMera Prevail… and i’m loving it
If MM is the new E.J.(which explains JS cryptic reply that returning for the shows 50th would be tricky?)…what about Sami…had they recast with Kelly Sullivan…she and MM as E.J. wouldve been great together…i just dont see E.J. returning without Sami…maybe MM is an aged Johnny who returns to Salem now older than his parents?…kidding…lol…itll be interesting to see if you’re right!!! Fingers crossed!!!
Maybe he’s the new Peter Blake…show needs another Dimera…that rumor couldve got it mixed up with EJ?
So disappointed in the finale….Hollywood? Really? The love of her life is dead…and she is off to Hollywood? Really? I think the characters deserved so much more than that….EJ and Sami deserved better and we as fans did as well.
I was convinced that EJ’s mom came back for a reason…. and that perhaps EJ would be there once Sami decided to move to England to start anew after the death of the love of her life. As she opens the door, there’s EJ.
Ugh what a let down.
But kudos to both Ali and James for hitting it out of the park….I would have figured they would have had better material in the end. Hope to see you again in the future! 🙂
And Thank you BOTH!
Hi, Elite. I don’t think this is the end. Something’s not right with this supposed finale. I don’t know, I just have a hunch…a premonition of sorts. I may be wrong…wouldn’t be the first time, LOL. we shall see.
I have seen Ali Sweeney on #DAYS since she began. I will miss her. However, I sincerely believe she is better off with distance from the demise of #DAYS that has already begun. The exit story of Samantha heads to Hollywood was preposterous and disappointing. One week, Sami is mourning the loss of the love of her life in an especially tailored Emmy reel and the next week she is giddy to begin a SGBD empire in Hollywood. It is sadly disappointing.
I am sure Sweeney will return for the Serial’ s finale /50th anniversary. I won’t see it. I have stopped watching #DAYS after 41 years. I was the a third generation viewer. But Corday Productions has sold out the quality of show, cast and production to squeeze the last drop of profit it can. Quality and integrity are better fruits of the show’ s legacy. I can only hope that the Diners family characters may be sold off so they could live again on a nighttime serial in the tradition of PeytonPlace 1 or 2 nights per week.
Wish Ali Sweeney and James Scott GODSPEED in all they pursue. The #EJAMI story has played a key role in keeping the show on air. Many other actors will go and be replaced by inexperienced young actors who may be paid the minimum. Days should have stopped and left graciously. I wish they would have given the same gracious exit to Ali Sweeney and James Scott.
I think she was already contacted by EJ….that’s why she seems so composed; so cool ….and as you say, so giddy only days after her husband’s death. Something is definitely afoot.
Autocorrect is not my friend. I typed ‘DiMeras’ not Diners.
LOL.
I was not a fan of the exit story they chose to write her off. I thought Sami should of have a more dramatic ending– fleeing from Stefano who was trying to kidnap the kids, going on the lam to avoid arrest from the feds, or getting a cryptic note saying EJ was still alive and going off to search for him—not going to Hollywood to make a movie of her life.
However despite the lame excuse to write off the show I thought all the goodbye scenes were great. Each one personalized for the character relationship to Sami. There were many hanky moments, laughs and unexpected treats. Did hell freeze over when Sami hugged Kate goodbye??? LOL
The only thing I wish were some clips of her and Carrie, even if that character isn’t on right now, that relationship had more impact on Sami than Nicole’s. Also my dream scene of a Sami and Stefano confrontation did not happen, but other that day, thought the show did a decent job of sending her off in style.
I agree with you…that dramatic exit wouldve been far more entertaining…i was hoping to see Sami and E.J. reunited on some secluded island somewhere…i think Ken Corday has lost interest in Days and wants to move on to other things like that web series he is involved with…i bet the show will make it to its 50th but what happens after that i just feel its on its way out…jmo!!!
“… Did hell freeze over when Sami hugged Kate goodbye??? ”
LOL
just needs to be mentioned again
it was the more defining story for the exit of Samantha Gene
her over the top ; balanced ; stirring ; aplomb ; always catching ; flight too and fro…just rollicked with nemesis adversarial
loved that these two women… for the love of family / offspring… that they bonded
Horrid. They have dismantled, the writers, everything I love about the Dimeras. Chad wasn’t there, Stephano can find them in LA just as easy and kidnap the kids, that wasn’t addressed, Will, who almost broke this family apart after everything EJ did to keep him out of jail at the expense of his relationship with Sami is being rewarded w/ a very dumb ending. The kids are shell shocked, and yet they are going to put them front and center on the TV? What on earth was that ending? This soap isn’t long for this world and just because of the awful ending and the fact that I have NOTHING left to watch on the Dimera side of things, Im out. I would at least have had EJ driving the limo, or if Mrs Dimera really had to suffer this heartbreak, let her ride off pregnant, and nourishing her love for EJ. I have never had a worse year on Days then 2014. 700,000 viewers and counting lost since Jan 3 2014. Good luck with that Days. Women watch soaps, keep that in mind before you head off to the golf course. On the other hand, a big heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and gracious actors Alison Sweeney and James Scott for being consummate professionals. It was a wild ride and Ill miss you, but Days has NOTHING for me and clearly Ken Corday after his latest interview is not interested in writing for the masses. Also a big shout out to Melissa Salmons, a writer at Days, she has so much talent and really wrote some special stuff for EJ and Sami in 2013. She should be treasured, and yet who will she be wasted on? Some other soap should snatch her up! Thank you Michael.
I think it was also a nod to Ali’s future as she will be pursuing things in Hollywood.
I hope Will is really gone as Guy is awful as Will.
I already miss you, Samantha Gene Brady. Thanks for all the great years of entertainment and don’t be a stranger.
I didn’t watch! If I have to Sami for one more minute I will vomit! So glad she is gone!
Oh my, you sound miserable. You need your meds. lol
Wow! You seem to be outnumbered, Kathy….I was never too crazy about the Sami character, but she was part of the cast for two decades and will definitely be missed…..but vomit? Spoooo overly dramatic.
I was really disappointed with the send off. Ali has always been so firey. I hope sometime in the future she will return I fear for the longevity of the show if she does not. Best of luck behind the camera.
I was very disappointed that Sami Brady did not have the chance to tell John Black her former step dad and also for many her and her siblings thought John Black was her dad Roman Brady, which in the end it was not, and also Brady Black her former step brother good bye they choose to on her last show have John and Brady Black do scenes at the Hosiptal with the pointless and useless Theresa Donavan. Those scenes that took place with those three could have and should have took place away from the hospital so that John and Brady would have had air time with Sami to tell her bye. I also did not care for the way they sent Sami off to Holywood it was such a sorry cheap send off for her as well as they did the same for Vivan Allamin they sent her off with her former side kick Avon to do and star in foreign movies.
Another cheap and 3rd send off they did was in 2012 when Bo Brady left they could have did better with his send off they allow his character to leave by sending his mom Caroline Brady off to to a experimental treatment for memory lost leaving her their to go and meet his son Shawn D. Brady and his wife and kid who is sailing the world. Really Days of our lives, Bo just leave his entire family that way with no proper send off but instead send him off in such a awful horrible way by making him abandon his family off screen when that is in now way his character on screen would not have ever never done. Which goes to the fact he Peter Reckell who played Bo choose to leave days should have went on and recast him instead of leaving the door open for him to return and he has yet to return nor so it seems now he will not have a future return either. Days please get it together when popular and love characters are be written off your show instead of doing horrible send offs.
I will miss Alison Sweeney as Samantha Brady, she is a terrific actress. Good luck to her. I hope she returns to Days Of Our lives full time in the future.
The performances were really nice. But for having had months and months to write her exit story, it seemed extremely rushed. It could have worked had the beats been given more time to breath but to go from hating EJ, to reconciling with EJ, to EJ dying, to Sami moving to Hollywood, all within a few weeks – it was one story point rushed to the next. How anyone with a basic knowledge of story structure and an appreciation for daytime drama would think this send off, as written, was good or even acceptable, is sad. I don’t mind EJ and Sami not getting a happy ending, but this was just disrespectful to both characters.
Will’s ascent to ‘hot new writer’ has been similarly rushed. His first paid job out of the gate and he’s a superstar, and gets to write for TV based on a magazine article. What? More disheartening is Will’s change from an endearing, thoughtful young man who occasionally makes bad calls, to an ambitious, thoughtlessly shellfish young man whose friends and family take a backseat to his (out of nowhere) career. It’s been months and I still haven’t warmed to this actor as Will – part of it is him, and part of it is the writing. The Will/Sonny story used to be a story that got the story beats that breathed, I saw each and every change – now, it’s like we are skipping chapters here and there and getting a partial story (like they don’t have time to flesh it out).
the acting was great but the s/l stunk. They had a year to write something, what a crock. Two days after her husbands murder she is jumping up and down cause she’s going to Hollywood. Was a HEA really too much to ask for. The story stank since January, guess this was Corday and Tomlins revenge cause fans didnt go overboard for Safe. Having watched this from the very first day in 1965 I have stopped and taken it off my DVR. Goodby Allison, goodby James and goodby Days. These writers destroyed Passions and now they are doing the same to this once classy show.
Days…come on! RC would have done a better job, and that’s saying something coming from me! I was hoping the limo driver would have come to the door and in walks Wayne Northop (who was on set her last day saying farewell anyway)! And o course, who’s waiting in the limo? EJ. More flashbacks were needed, as were more time to say goodbye (Marlena’s especially, but where was her’s with John?) and more specific nods to history. This should have been a Sami-centered episode- as good as the other parts to the episode were (ie Kristen/Daniel, Brady/Theresa/John). I wanted there to be more surprises, more tributes, more memories. It didn’t pay enough homage to Sami or Alison as they both deserved.
An what o EJAMI? If they ever brought back EJ (recast or JS) how would they explain the fact that he isn’t immediately an internally with Sami an the kids, wherever they are.
Love you Days, but where was the creativity, thoughtfulness, Samantha-Gene-Brady-dimera grand exit? Tisk, tisk!
Meant to write “and eternally” not “internally” lol.
I wanted way more flashbacks from her 1st years on the show! I thought it was kind of a lame sendoff!
Have always loved Sami Brady, no matter she did wrong there was always a tender spot in the heart, hoping she’d make it. Always a survivor. My story line would have had the private plane crash, everyone lost and then in the next scene Sami, kids and EJ going off with changed identities into the Sunset and a happy normal life!
what . . in the world is going to happen who is going to carry the spot light no one really interesting Nicole/eric cant get it together. Daniel almost sleep with a woman he has had nogood things to say about. he and jennfer get on my nerve WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON
am glad sami is taking her boy he is a wuss THINGS WILL GET BETTER I HOPE oh and abbey – not so nice and meddles to much
I am going to miss AS as SB on DOOL so much! Hope she decides to come back to DOOL in a few years. It would be wonderful to see SB interact with her teenage grand-daughter, Arianna.
The LAST scene should have been where she came into the room one last time saying she had forgotten something. When she looked around the room it was touching and should have been left at that.
Okay Allison is leaving the show, I get it, I am not a long time watcher (just less than a year) but it was, even at that, kind of dragged out a bit.
What I would like to ask is, why is Will going with her? Is it to put some distance between Sonny and Will? Is the current actor who portrays Will “not” coming back due to negative reaction to his portrayal of the character? I don’t feel there is any chemistry between this Will and Sonny, could that be why he is leaving to help the character of Sammi (his mom) in California? Are they planning to take Sonny in another direction?
As I am posting this, it has been a little over two months since Sami left Salem, and longer since EJ’s death….and I don’t miss them….at least not as a couple! I am surprised! If either Alison Sweeney or James Scott want to return to Salem, I would be glad to see them back on the show, but not James as EJ. James should return as another character. Let EJ stay dead. The EJami couple has run its course. Sami is very much a part of Salem. So Alison should always play Sami. But it would be nice to give James a fresh start as a new character.
Ali is my favorite actress. I’ve been a viewer since I was a young girl watching at home with my mom during summer break and i’d record it when I went to school. No one could ever play the role of Sami like Ali did…glad they decided not to get someone else to play her and keep her character in Salem. They did the right thing by sending her to Hollywood l…even though they could have sent her off better. That’s just my opinion. Love and wishes Ali.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
Photo: JPI
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: JPI
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
Photo: JPI
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Photo: JPI
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
Photo: WarnerBros
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
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OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
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DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
Days Of Our Lives
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
Who says you can’t go home again? In the case of Another World favorite, Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Cass Winthrop), he has proven that it is true, and you can go back to your soap roots and where it all started for you.
Last week on April 11th, Schnetzer, along with several other key returns were on set at Days of our Lives taping all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera, centering on the funeral of Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes), and as part of the iconic soap opera’s 15,000th episode.
Stephen is reprising his first daytime role as Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). The last time Schnetzer appeared on a DAYS set was during his one and only run on the show from 1978 to 1980. Clearly, viewers will be in for some very emotional scenes when Steve returns to Salem to be there for his sister, Julie in her time of need. In real-life, Susan has been going through her own grief, having just lost Bill back on January 12th at the age of 98.
Photo: NBC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Stephen during the 15K episode celebration ceremony, and during a break from taping the gut-wrenching funeral scenes, to get his thoughts on being part of these highly-anticipated moments that will air later this year in December. Here’s what he shared with us below.
What has this been like for you to work with Susan Seaforth Hayes after all of these years?
STEPHEN: She’s a dream and she’s so bright. We ran lines yesterday and we ended up just visiting for about 45 minutes and just catching up and telling tales about each other’s career. She even dropped off the autobiography that she and Bill did. And being back here at DAYS, every time I turn a corner, there’s another familiar face. When I was on the show 40 more years ago, a bunch of the guys, played softball on a team together. This is really a trip down memory lane as I knew it would be.
Photo: JPI
Taping Doug’s funeral must be a hard day for Susan. Are you checking in with her to help hold her up through this?
STEPHEN: I am and I’m checking in with Amy Shaughnessy (Susan’s assistant), and she’s holding her up more than anybody. We’re there for each other.
There will obviously be some major hankie-inducing moments when Steve comes back to Salem to console his sister.
STEPHEN: Oh, wait till you see it in December. It’s going to be great.
Were you surprised you got this call to come back to the show decades later?
STEPHEN: It was out of the blue! I was completely surprised. They should have called me decades ago! That’s what surprised me. When Another World went down, I thought I’d land somewhere else and it never happened. That was more of a surprise.
Photo: JPI
Cass is such an identifiable character for you. As well, you and Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) are so synonymous together as best friends Cass and Felicia from Another World. When fans heard you were reprising your role as Steve Olson on DAYS, they are now hoping there will be more of you on the show to come.
STEPHEN: Steven Olson is a real “Cassian “character. I cut my teeth on Steve Olson and that’s how Cass was introduced. He was kind of a roguish charmer. And then when the character stuck for Another World, they rehabilitated me, and turned me into one of the shows heroes. And that’s what would’ve happened if I stayed as Steve Olson probably. So, Steve is the ‘pre-Cass’, Cass.
Photo: JPI
As the story goes, you originally decided to leave Days of our Lives?
STEPHEN: I was never on contract. I was doing a day and a half a week and I got a Broadway play directed by Franco Zeffirelli starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finlay. I was able to it as I didn’t have to break a contract or anything. I cut loose and went back to New York for that.
How well did you get to know Bill Hayes during your first time around on DAYS?
STEPHEN: My first episode was with Bill and Susan, as her long lost brother coming into Salem. They were so good to me. They were so kind. I had been doing eight years of classical repertory theater, never been in front of a camera. I tell everybody, it took me longer than any other actor I’ve ever seen to get comfortable in front of a camera. And they were very supportive at that time in my career. Coming back to honor Bill now in 2024, and to be see Susan, I am just so happy to be here.
Looking forward to seeing the scenes between Stephen and Susan Seaforth Hayes come December and Doug’s funeral and surrounding episodes? Do you hope that DAYS might bring the character of Steve Olson back for a longer stay? Comment below.
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
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